Education & Experience
Education
Purdue University | Environmental Engineering, PhD Candidate
August 2019 - May 2025*
Dissertation: “Selective remediation of aqueous heavy metal contaminants from industrial wastewater using textile-derived biochar modified by cationic surfactant”
Co-Advisors: Professor Chad Jafvert, Professor Inez Hua
Committee: Professor Cliff Johnston, Professor Amisha Shah
Montana Technological University | Environmental Engineering, MS
August 2017 - May 2019
Thesis: “Investigating the functional implications of microbial community characteristics in bio-electrochemical denitrification”
Advisor: Professor Daqian Jiang
Committee: Professor Katherine Zodrow, Professor Emerita Bev Hartline
The University of Montana | Chemistry, BS
University Scholar Distinction through the Davidson Honors College
August 2011 - May 2016
Honors Thesis: “Purification and Characterization of Bromocresol Purple for Spectrophotometric Seawater Alkalinity Titrations”
Advisor: Professor Mike DeGrandpre
Research Experience
Graduate Research Assistant (GRA)—Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN—August 2019 to Present
Design and conduct laboratory scale experiments related to the characterization of tannery wastewater and development of bulk textile-derived cationic surfactant surface-modified biochar
Responsible for training and managing undergraduate research associates on proper laboratory protocol, safety, and project organization
Helped write and prepare a National Science Foundation (NSF) unsolicited Environmental Engineering grant proposal with research advisors
Regularly collaborate with colleagues at Universidad Nacional de San Agustín (UNSA) in Arequipa, Peru through the Arequipa Nexus Institute for Food, Water, Energy, and the Environment (Nexus Institute) Soil and Water Quality Project
Graduate Research Assistant (GRA)—Montana Technological University, Butte, MT—September 2017 to August 2019
Designed the protocol to extract DNA and RNA from biofilms
Monitored NO3-, NO2-, NH3, and COD concentrations in bioreactors for 8 months using wet chemistry methods
Managed and maintained environmental engineering laboratory and instruments (December 2017 to August 2019)
Engineered 19 bioreactors and grew robust biofilms using appropriate laboratory techniques
Trained undergraduate research associates and colleagues on proper laboratory protocol and etiquette
Undergraduate Research Assistant (URA)—the University of Montana, Missoula, MT—December 2014 to August 2016
Purified the sulfonephthalein indicator bromocresol purple (BCP) to 99% purity from a 90% pure stock using analytical chemistry techniques and analysis
Wrote a protocol for BCP purification and quality control analysis for the department and Sunburst Sensors, LLC
Experienced with HPLC-UV/Vis, GC-MS, AA, UV/Vis, TLC, FT-IR, spectrofluorometry, and flash chromatography instrument usage, maintenance, and upkeep